A man accused of a string of incidents on the South Coast involving an axe attack, a stolen Mustang and a high-speed police pursuit failed to appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday due to medical reasons.

Caleb Flentjar, 25, was scheduled to face court on Tuesday morning, but the magistrate was told he had been in hospital and was not fit to appear via video link.

The first of four listed matters involving Flentjar was an apprehended violence order application. However, all matters - including multiple serious criminal charges - were adjourned to a later date pending further medical assessment.

Caleb Flentjar did not appear in Nowra Local Court.

It’s the second time Flentjar has failed to front court since his arrest 10 days ago after reportedly refusing to meet with a legal representative or step outside his cell at Wollongong Police Station last Monday.

“He refuses to see me, and presumably anyone else,” his lawyer, Cassie Lee, reportedly told the court. “Apparently he won't get out of bed.” 

Flentjar was arrested on Saturday, July 12, following a series of incidents that began just before 1pm in Worrigee.

Police allege he approached a 66-year-old woman sitting in her Ford Mustang on Illawarra Circuit, striking her repeatedly with an axe before forcing her out of the car and running her over as he fled in the vehicle.

Moments earlier, Flentjar had allegedly thrown the axe at a police vehicle after officers responded to reports of a man armed with weapons on Rayleigh Drive.

The woman suffered serious injuries to her legs and torso and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

What followed was a wild, hour-long pursuit through Nowra, Bomaderry, Berry, Gerringong and Kiama, with police alleging the Mustang reached speeds of 180km/h and was driven on the wrong side of the Princes Highway before crashing into a ute in Kiama Downs.

Bystanders restrained Flentjar at the scene before police arrived.

He was later charged with multiple offences, including:

• Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it – armed with weapon
• Fail to stop and assist after impact causing grievous bodily harm
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
• Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention (two counts)
• Drive while disqualified
• Larceny
• Goods in custody suspected stolen
• Custody of a knife in a public place
• Speeding >45km/h

He was also charged from three outstanding DV-related offences: assault, property damage and larceny